How to Grow Cauliflower

Cauliflower (lat. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) belongs to the large group of plants bred from wild cabbage (lat. Brassica oleracea). Cauliflower, like other so-called brassicas, belongs to the Brassicaceae family of plants. The group of brassicas bred from wild cabbage also includes cabbage, kale, and broccoli, which you can read about on our website. Cauliflower is most commonly grown for its thickened inflorescence. It was bred from wild cabbage by Arabs as early as the 16th century. Today, many varieties of cauliflower are available on the market, from early to late. Cauliflower can be consumed steamed, braised, or fried.

Early, summer and late cauliflowers - choose whichever you like...

Very early varieties of cauliflower include early cauliflower Beta, which is suitable for cold forcing and very early cultivation in beds. The thickened inflorescence (head) is white, resistant to purpling. This early cauliflower can be sown from January to March. The Bora variety with a medium-sized cream-white head is also suitable for the earliest cultivation.

For summer cultivation, the Delta variety was bred with a large white head that can grow up to 700 g in weight. This summer cauliflower should be sown between March and May. In April and May, you can also sow another summer cauliflower variety - Brilant. The Brilant variety has a medium-sized, firm white head. Its advantage is great resistance to sprouting, riciness, and yellowing.

A semi-late variety suitable for both summer and autumn harvest is Octavian. Plants grown from seeds sown directly in beds between April and June are vigorous with dark leaves. The head is white, moderately bumpy. This variety is also very resistant to riciness, sprouting, yellowing, and purpling.

A late cauliflower variety is White Ball with a very firm and highly domed head. Seeds are sown in the soil between March and May. Mature cauliflowers have broadly elliptical leaves with a waxy coating.

For healthy development, cauliflowers need sufficient water, nutritious soil, and the right temperature.

Nutrients, Water and Proper Temperature Are the Foundation for Successful Cauliflower Growing

Growing cauliflower is very similar to growing other brassicas. Cauliflower likes a bright location, but staying in excessive heat doesn't suit it well. High temperature would encourage plants to quickly form a head that wouldn't be of good quality. Soil for cauliflower should retain sufficient amount of water and be well fertilized. Cauliflower is a heavy feeder crop, therefore it's planted in beds where well-rotted manure or compost was incorporated in autumn. Sufficient nutrients are one of the key factors for successful growing. Nutrients should be provided to cauliflower plants during the growing season as well. Sulfate fertilizers that don't contain chlorine are ideal. Prevention against so-called blindness (non-formation of heads) is a sufficient amount of molybdenum in the soil; it's also suitable to use fertilizers that contain this element.

Another extremely important factor for successful cauliflower growing is sufficient water. Pre-grown seedlings should never be overwatered, which could lead to their death. Water supply needs to be rapidly increased after planting in the bed. Cauliflowers consume most water during leaf formation and subsequently during head formation. Generally, late varieties need the most water for their growth, while early varieties need the least water. Temperature at which cauliflowers are grown also plays a role. The ideal temperature for germination is approximately 15 - 20 °C. Young seedlings are content with a slightly lower temperature up to about 15 °C. High temperatures during leaf growth and head formation can reduce head quality. Premature head formation may occur, with leaves growing through the head.

Regularly water, weed, hoe and provide nutrients to planted cauliflowers.

Growing Cauliflower from Pre-Grown Transplants Is Ideal

Especially early cauliflower varieties are suitable to grow from pre-grown transplants. Seeds of early varieties can be sown in growing facilities as early as February and March. Sowing shouldn't be too dense (otherwise pricking out is necessary), so that young seedlings have enough space to grow. The gap between pre-grown seedlings should approximately correspond to their current size. After sowing, it's necessary to water the soil and keep it constantly slightly moist. Excessive drought could interrupt healthy seedling development. Well-rooted seedlings with 3 - 4 true leaves should be planted in the bed, always after the last frosts have passed. The ideal planting spacing for cauliflowers in the bed is approximately 50 x 50 cm.

Planting tip: cauliflowers root better after planting if you first dig freshly cut grass into the soil

The planting time in the bed depends on the specific variety. Early varieties are more resistant and can be planted under non-woven fabric as early as the end of March, summer varieties are planted in May and June, while late varieties must be planted in the soil by mid-July at the latest. During the growing season, regular watering and fertilizing are necessary, and you must not forget about weeding the bed and hoeing. Cauliflowers will reward you with beautiful heads for exemplary care. For cauliflower fertilization, nitrogen fertilizer is recommended.

Your cauliflowers will grow like wildfire from pre-grown seedlings.

Tip for white heads: you can prevent the heads from becoming mossy and yellowing by timely breaking the leaves over the head

What can threaten your cauliflower harvest?

Cauliflower is also attacked by numerous diseases and pests. Most commonly these include brassica downy mildew, cabbage aphid, cabbage white butterfly, and cabbage root fly. Among diseases, cauliflowers particularly suffer from clubroot of brassicas and deficiency of molybdenum and boron. The main principle in preventing diseases and pests is not to plant brassica plants in the same location for multiple years in a row. Cabbage white butterflies don't like the celery aroma, and against root flies, you can fight by hilling soil up to the root collar. Young cauliflower plants can also be attacked by flea beetles, which nibble the leaves - a preventive measure is adequate watering. Against clubroot, nitrogen lime is worked into the soil before planting, which acts as a disinfectant.